Are your monthly bills stacking up right before your eyes? Not to worry, Castle Windows has the solution to your problem – make that ten solutions. There are so many ways to generate energy out of things that already exist in your home. The trick is how to utilize them in a way that will lower your energy bills. Here are a few energy-efficient hacks that will save you money this year!
1. Replace Old Windows With ENERGY STAR®
If your windows are over 20 years old, leaking air, or not functioning correctly, it is time to replace them. Castle Windows offers premium ENERGY STAR windows® designed to increase energy efficiency. By how much? energystar.gov reports that homeowners can expect $101–$583 in savings when replacing single-pane windows and $27–$197 when replacing double-pane windows. Learn more.
2. Use Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL’s)
Light bulbs are hungry, and they’re going to eat as much energy as possible. On their own, they don’t eat much, but take a minute to think about how many light bulbs you have in your home. It adds up and you’re feeding an entire family of light bulbs. According to Energy.gov, compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL’s) use up t0 75% LESS energy! That means a CFL bulb uses the same amount of power over four days that a regular bulb uses in one day.
3. Replace Your Heating and Cooling Filters
Maintaining your home’s furnace and air conditioning is imperative for efficient performance. Dirty filters force furnaces to work harder to pump air throughout the house. Hardworking units not only increase energy, but can also potentially get damaged. Similarly, conditioning filters need to be regularly changed. Check your filters every month, change them at a minimum of every three months, and watch your energy bill shrink by 5% to 15%. A clean filter means a clean energy bill. As a bonus, your air quality will also get a boost!
4. Turn Off Power Strips
Have you ever heard of “vampire devices”? Even when turned off, they are devices that will continue to use energy if plugged into a power strip.
This phenomenon, known as phantom power, can make up as much as 5% to 10% of your energy consumption. You can conserve that energy by unplugging the power strip as a whole or unplugging the devices individually.
5. Use the Clothes Washer’s Cold Setting
Heat costs money! Wash your clothes in cold water to save that money. Try drying them on a line to save on machine drying, too! If you happen to be machine drying, don’t over-fill. Ensure you leave enough space for hot air to circulate so your laundry doesn’t take as long to dry.
6. Completely Shut Down Your Computer
Turning computers off can help extend the life of the components. It also saves energy, whereas putting your laptop in sleep mode still draws power. Small changes like this can make a real difference in your energy bill.
7. Cross-Ventilate
Create a natural ventilation system in any room of your house. Opening windows and doors across the room will create a natural, refreshing breeze. Fresh air will come in through the window or door on one side of the room and push hot air out of the other side of the room. Ideally, this solution will help limit the need for air conditioning.
8. Become Friends with your Fans
Did you know that ceiling fans have winter and summer settings? It’s true! The flow of air depends on the direction the blades are going. In the summer, the blades should be on a counterclockwise setting. The counterclockwise motion will blow the cool air down and circulate it throughout the room. In the winter, the blades should be on a clockwise setting to circulate the warm air throughout the room.
9. Vegetation is Key
Adding vegetation around your home has many benefits. Planting shrubs close to your home can add insulation value. It also adds protection from cold winds in the winter and high heat in the summer. Natural shade also helps air conditioning units run more efficiently because they aren’t overheating. Overall, correct landscaping can lower overall heating and cooling costs by 25%.
10. Install Motion Sensors, Dimmers, and Timers
You wouldn’t believe how much energy is wasted just by leaving lights on in your home. If you’re looking to become more energy-efficient and also can be forgetful at times, motion sensors are a necessity! The best areas in your home to place motion sensors are:
- Bathrooms
- Garages
- Hallways
- Entry Ways
- Guest Rooms
- Children’s Rooms
- Closets
Dimmers are essential to an energy-efficient home. Using dimmers decreases the overall wattage and output of the light bulb. As a plus, it also adds a lovely ambiance to any room of your home.
You may be familiar with holiday lights and decorations timers, but have you ever considered them for everyday use? The answer should be yes! You can use manual timers or programmable timers. Efficiency and convenience go hand in hand when it comes to technology, so programmable is your best option. A programmable timer will hang on your wall, like a thermostat. The times are adjustable for each light, and they won’t change unless you want them to.
Ready to Upgrade Your Windows?
For maximum energy savings, call Castle Windows. We offer a variety of replacement windows designed to help conserve energy and increase the comfort and value of your home. Our windows are designed, engineered, tested to ensure quality. And because we believe so wholeheartedly in our products and team, we also offer one of the best lifetime warranties in the industry.
